The MAP test varies from the usual format of academic tests where each child answers the same questions. Instead, the MAP test is adapted to each child, featuring questions that are suited to that child’s academic standard. The MAP test is created and maintained by the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA).
What Is Being Assessed?
The purpose of the MAP test is:
To assist teachers in identifying a child’s strengths and weaknesses. This points to the academic areas where a child may be challenged and pushed further, and the areas where more work and support is needed. To track the child’s academic achievements and developments through their time at school. To compare the child’s academic growth with what is expected for a particular school year, for example, is a year one child reading at the level of a year two child? To make it possible to predict a child’s academic development, achievement and grades, and investigate where this prediction is not met.
The MAP test assesses reading, language use and mathematics across the entire age range. For certain age groups, knowledge of general sciences will also be assessed.
What Does ‘Adaptive’ Mean?
The MAP test is ‘adaptive’ in that it adapts to the answers given during the assessment. If a child answers a question incorrectly, the following question will be at an easier level. If a child answers a question correctly, the following question will be at a more difficult level.
Question Formats and Type
The questions included in the test will be suitable for the child’s age group, as well as their individual academic level. For example, questions for kindergarten age children will have audio questions for children who might struggle to read and brightly colored image-based answer options; questions for older year groups become more tricky. The format of the questions will vary and may include drag and drop, multiple-choice and fill in the blank questions. The MAP test assesses four different areas:
Reading Language use Math In some cases, general sciences
Reading
The purpose of the reading section is to assess the child’s understanding of different written formats, their ability to analyze written passages and whether they can use linked themes, theories and concepts. For instance, a reading question for a 7th grader may ask for the antonym (or opposite) of a word. This tests the child’s understanding of the term ‘antonym’ as well as the words themselves. A kindergartener might be asked about different word sounds/phonics, word meanings or to identify rhyming words. Alternatively, a child may be asked to analyze a passage of writing for the author’s intent or the key ideas of the passage. The child will also be asked to write an essay at the end of the exam to further demonstrate their language skills. The length of the essay will vary from a few sentences for the youngest children to longer passages for the oldest. Children will need to demonstrate a good understanding of how to structure an essay or story and how to present an argument, as well as using good grammar and spelling. You will face general arithmetic-type questions, definitions and problem-solving questions (revise your fraction and percentage calculations), as well as geometry (for example, working out the area of a shape), algebra and graphs. Here is an example of a math question for a 2nd grader: If the movie is 1 hour 40 minutes long, which is the latest movie showing he can see and get home by 10:00 p.m. Assume the bus is available straight after the movie finishes. Science questions will cover areas such as:
Physical sciences (for example, energy transfer) Earth and space sciences (for example, the solar system and plate tectonics) Nature of science (for example, scientific theories) Life science (for example, ecosystems) Scientific inquiry (for example, drawing conclusions from data)
What to Expect When Taking the MAP Test
The MAP test is taken on a computer, rather than paper and pen, and will usually be taken at your childs school. There is no specific time limit placed on the test so children can take the time they need to answer (and should be encouraged not to rush), but it generally takes no more than one hour to finish. Children will generally sit the MAP test at the start, during and at the end of each school year. The test begins with a question that matches the individual child’s academic level. The difficulty of the questions progresses from that point depending on whether the child answers correctly or not. The MAP test includes around 52 questions in each section (reading, language use, math and, for some grades, general sciences), although this may vary depending on the individual child. The result is available as soon as the MAP test is completed. The RIT scale is a stable measure of a child’s academic progress and does not consider their school grade or age. Instead, the child’s progress is mapped according to their past and current MAP test scores. The RIT score of each child reflects the level of academic difficulty at which that child would be expected to correctly answer half of the MAP test questions. Once a child has completed the MAP test, they are awarded a RIT score for each area tested (reading, language usage, math, science). This RIT score points to the child’s academic level. The RIT scale compares a child’s MAP test score with previous scores, providing the teacher with a continuous assessment of the child’s academic level throughout their school education. Generally, a parent will be provided with a report of their child’s progress, including their past and current MAP test scores. For the 2nd to 8th Grade, there are up to four different sections of the test, depending on the school.
The first set of questions are related to reading, with between 40–43 questions. This is followed by language usage (50–53 questions), which is not part of the MAP Test for K-2. The math questions come next, with 47–53 questions. The last part is on science, but it is optional for schools to administer – if your school offers this section, there will be between 39 and 42 questions.
2nd Grade MAP Growth Test
In this test, there are different types of questions within each subject, and this is based on the Common Core guidelines for 2nd Grade students.
Maths:
Operations and Algebraic Thinking Numbers and Operations Measurement and Data Geometry
Language:
Mechanics Grammar Usage Writing Process
Reading:
Word Meaning Literary Concepts Analysis of structure, genre, purpose Informational Concepts
Math:
Numbers and Operations Algebraic Knowledge Algebra Geometry
Language Usage:
Conventions Grammar and Usage Writing Conventions
Reading:
Word Recognition and Vocabulary Literature Informational Texts
Math:
Operations and Algebraic Thinking Numbers and Operations Measurement and Data Geometry
Language Usage:
Writing Grammar and Usage Understand and Edit Mechanics
Reading:
Word Meaning and Vocabulary Knowledge Literature Informational Texts
Family Membership gives you access to all the TestPrep-Online resources for the next 12 months. You will also get two separate accounts, which can be very helpful if you have two children preparing for their tests.
Math:
Geometry Operations and Algebraic Thinking Measurement and Data Numbers and Operations
Language Usage:
Grammar and Usage Writing Understand and Edit Mechanics
Reading:
Word Meaning and Vocabulary Knowledge Informational Texts Literature
Math:
Operations and Algebraic Thinking Geometry Numbers and Operations Measurement and Data
Language Usage:
Grammar and Usage Writing Understanding and Edit Mechanics
Reading:
Informational Texts Word Meaning and Vocabulary Knowledge Literature
Math:
Algebraic equations Geometry Percentages Scientific Notation Arithmetic
Language Usage:
Writing Style and Application Punctuation Grammar
Reading:
Text characteristics Truth of statements Determining sequence of events
Math:
Number Sense Computation and Problem Solving Algebraic Concepts Geometry Measurement Statistics and Probability
Language Usage:
Mechanics Parts of Speech Usage Writing Process
Reading:
Word Meaning Literary Concepts Informational Concepts
Prepare Practice Check
When it comes to reading and language use, one of the best ways to prepare for the MAP test is to become an active reader of a variety of materials:
Storybooks in a range of genres Non-fiction books on topics of interest Poetry and anthologies Magazines and comics Newspapers
The wider the variety of a child’s reading material is, the more they will be introduced to a larger vocabulary and usage of grammar, punctuation, etc. The flip side to reading is writing. The MAP test includes an essay question so time should be taken to improve the child’s writing too. The test will decide the subject of the essay but a child’s confidence in writing can be built through writing about what they enjoy and are enthusiastic about. This is an excellent way to apply all they have learned about:
Punctuation (for example, commas and dashes) Definitions (for example, nouns and adjectives) How to apply capitalization Planning, drafting and editing Structure (for example, paragraphs and headings) Themes and settings
Preparing for the math section of the MAP test means regularly revisiting what the child has learned and applying that to real life. Useful areas to revisit include graphs, shapes, calculations and definitions, but this will depend on the individual child and their academic level. Applying math in real-life situations can also help. Why not try:
Adding up the cost of a shopping list Measuring ingredients to bake a cake at home Calculating how long a journey to the park will take by foot or bicycle
Using math to find solutions in real life can improve a child’s mathematical problem solving and make it easier for them to tackle unfamiliar MAP test questions. Finally, it is always a good idea for any child taking a MAP test to make sure they have had a good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast and that they are well hydrated. All of these things will improve the child’s brain function on the day of the test. School may be happy to provide sample MAP test questions but there are plenty of sample MAP test questions that can be sourced online for free too:
TestPrepOnline
Practicing sample MAP test questions can help in several ways:
Familiarising the child with the way MAP test questions are laid out and worded Understanding the different formats of questions (for example, multiple-choice or drop-down) Pinpointing areas where the child’s knowledge is lacking
All of these can improve a child’s confidence when taking the MAP test. The MAP test is not timed, but once a child has provided the answer to a question, they cannot go back and change their mind. It is, therefore, important that they carefully read the questions to find all the points they need to address in their answer, and that they check their answer before submitting it. Time should be taken to thoroughly read the question so that mistakes are not made. The child should read all the instructions in the question first, and stick to those instructions when answering the question. Does the question have one point that should be covered in the answer, or are there several points? Has the child covered all points in their answer? Can the answer to a math question be arrived at by using several calculations, rather than just one? Has the child been asked to show how they arrived at their answer? Grammar, spelling and vocabulary should always be checked before submitting an answer. It is easy to forget to capitalize a name or miss a comma. Remember, the MAP test is not timed so the child can take as long as they like to answer all the questions fully and carefully.
Read a wide variety of books to expose your child to different types of language Encourage your child to practice their writing skills. Keeping a diary, writing postcards and imaginative play are all good ways of doing this Use real-life situations such as calculating the cost of groceries and making a cake to practice math skills Ask your school if they can provide past papers and sample questions to help familiarise your child with the type of questions they will find on the test
Using past scores, it is possible to predict the level of progress that a student is likely to make year-on-year. This prediction can then be compared with the score that a student achieves to see whether they are meeting expectations. By identifying these pupils, it is possible to put them into programs that will either help them to catch up or encourage them to continue growing. This means that colleges will generally not look at your MAP scores. Instead, they will conduct assessments of their own if they require information regarding your aptitude. Some useful ideas are:
Get a good night’s sleep so that you are well-rested Eat a balanced breakfast to provide long-term energy release Use practice papers to help familiarise yourself with the style of questions you are likely to find Read a lot of different materials to expand your vocabulary and comprehension skills
Children often learn at different speeds to their peers. The MAP test allows each child to be academically challenged or supported in the way that best suits them.
